I take calls with India at 5AM most day and am expected to join calls at 4 or 5 PM the same day. If my work isn't done when India comes in, I'm in trouble. But I just can't do it anymore, it's ki-ling me. I have no life, all I do is work and get told it's not good enough. How long do we have to do this? I have to believe things will get better at some point?
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@e5 entire organization reporting structure will change. Some already in motion. You will get new manager, director etc. good opportunity to reset the expectations with the teams you are working with 15 hr a day. BTW don't do it.
@OP I’ve been where you are, and I promise it really does get better. At my old job, I started job hunting whenever I could steal a few free moments and never let up. I even took sick days just for interviews, and eventually I landed my current position. Optum isn't perfect either, but I set clear boundaries from day one because I wasn’t going to put myself in the same stressful situation again. I figured if they wanted to fire me, so be it, because my mental health wasn’t worth sacrificing a second time. Surprisingly, just doing my job and no more was enough. They weren’t happy that I refused to bend over backwards for everything, but they didn’t fire me either. Today, I’m much happier and finally feel like I have my life back. It’s not perfect, but it’s so much better. Take it one step at a time, be patient, and stay proactive. The job market is rough, but people are still finding roles, they just keep showing up consistently and putting in the effort.
They are not paying you a penny extra for working 15 hours a day. Stop doing that. There will be no reward or recognition for it trust me.
if needed, look into your state's paid leave for your mental health. mn is starting in 2026 to have state paid leave. if your state doesn't have this, take federal fmla and look into short term disability for pay. a job is not worth it.
@dg What does it mean everything will change in Q1? What will happen?
OP, if you are on tech side, everything will change by q1. Hang in there buddy
@d0 not when you have micromanager directors that do nothing but dribble bs all day.
It’s time to leave. Optum is like an abusive relationship, it doesn’t get better no matter what they say. I have been doing something very similar to you and it’s ki-ling me. Early morning India meetings, late day US calls. Time to do actual work dwindles while getting told we need to do more. F this..
OP, at 29 you should be able to take charge and set meeting window time for the team. Don't know what else to say. But do use excuse of personal items and need to stick to cst.
@c8 I'm a 29.
Sorry man you didn't do anything wrong. You did everything you were told you would need to in order to succeed and had the rug pulled out from under you. Hoping there is a future for people like us
@OP The fact that my Town Halls are scheduled for 6:30AM my time (PT) is proof that this company has zero respect for anyone's time.
OP - What grade are you? Typically, I do a white lie that I need to drop xyz/school, etc., due to a family obligation, and I don't want any calls before 7:30 CST. And no calls after 1 PM to do my work.
Try to take Jan 1 as an excuse as something new - Esp. pushback on 5 AM, India team supposed to work around CST, not the other way around.
They can replace you at work but you can't be replaced at home.
It's time to set boundaries.
That was my experience also, worked many 12+ hour days, including nights and weekends, in addition to day time hours working with India at 10pm at night sometimes until 3-4am only to get up at 8am and start working again including being on call, only to be told I need to do more, its sickening.
@be I would like my work too if I was from India, you guys have a very different experience than we do.
I am looking for other jobs now. I cant do it anymore. I really cant.